Injured on an Offshore Drilling Platform?

As offshore oil platforms pose unique hazards to workers, injuries are frequent and often very serious. Dangerous weather conditions, heavy machinery, fires, explosions, falling objects, drowning, and slip and falls are a constant threat to those who work there. These huge structures can be over 100 feet above sea level are also dangerous because of the flammable material they are drilling. A well blowout, loss of pressure control, or equipment failure can lead to devastating consequences for those operating the machinery and working on the platform.

The types of injuries that can be sustained from oil rig accidents range from back injuries to crush injuries to burns. Many of these injuries are so life-altering that the workers cannot return to work following the accident. One severe type of injury is head injuries. Falling debris, a fall from a height, or even a slip and fall can lead to brain damage and other long-term effects. There have also been cases of amputation, where machinery or an equipment failure leads to a loss of limb either at the scene of the accident or in subsequent surgeries. In other cases, the worker succumbs to their injuries and a wrongful death suit results.

For workers injured on oil drilling platforms, there are numerous ways that they can file for compensation. Even if the rig was not in domestic waters, an experienced offshore injury attorney could work to get the case heard in the U.S. Through the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, workers are not only entitled to compensation for medical expenses, but lost wages as well. They could receive up to 66.66% of their average weekly wages, or, in wrongful death situations, the surviving family could receive anywhere from 50% to 66.66% of their income.